Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 32

Sidney's head throbbed as he sat across from his fuming fiancé after their hasty excuses of Eliza explaining that Charlotte had hurt his foot during the dance. Claiming that is why they stumbled and that there was no scandalous scene and nothing between them.

He had to suppress a laugh when the matronly hostess looked upon them both pityingly, indicating she did not believe a word of Eliza's fabrication but had the good grace to not question the narrative. But she had given him a knowing glance and a friendly smile to them both while wishing them well and thanksgiving for presence at her event. They were given a basket of oranges and lemons as they parted.

Silent for a long time he could feel the anger that nearly vibrated the carriage. It was a sharp contrast to the carriage ride to the ball where it had been him angry at Eliza and lecturing her. He was now the one who needed to have the adjustment.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked impatiently. Obviously defensive and not wishing to be the one in the wrong.

She just stared at him with her pinched face and glaring blue eyes the color of ice which ran in her veins.

Shifting under her gaze he looked back out the window helplessly.

"Offer unconvincing apologies that you will not believe?" his jaw was hard.

"It's too much to expect me not to acknowledge her," he said a moment later.

She opened her mouth and he braced himself for what was to come.
"Of course exchange surface pleasantries and then allow me to pull you away. I can't be seen extricating you out of her arms." she chided. "You should not have danced with her." she threw at him lastly.

He sighed and nodded. "No, you are perfectly right. I quite forgot myself for a time, but it won't happen again," he said wanting to change the subject. He needed to touch Charlotte because the last time had been when he broke her heart.

Eliza glared. "It had better not. Certainly, you understand the implications of me breaking our engagement." she threatened. "It would be disastrous for you."

He sighed and nodded looking out the window. "Indeed it could. For both of us," he said looking at her squarely. "I could sue you for damages.
Indeed, I could actually sue you twice. I wonder if the first one still counts."

She looked at him shocked. "You wouldn't dare?"

Looking at her he squinted. "How can you be so sure?" he challenged.
Eliza blinked. "I can't imagine us years from now. We can't even be civil anymore," she said frustratedly.

"I just don't get how this arraignment suits you," he said frustratedly. "What are you really getting from this Eliza?"

Her face was pulled and tense. "I am not sure it does suit me anymore," she answered coldly. "But I must mitigate losses now... My standing in society has been damaged by your little Willinghole girl."

He bared his teeth. "Miss Heywood, you will respect her enough to call her by her name," he demanded. "She has never uttered a disparaging word of you, you should afford her the same."

Her frown furrowed lines in her brow. "Miss Heywood has talked of me?" she asked speaking her name as if bitter on the tongue.

Sidney nodded. "With greater sense and generosity than you have ever shown her. It is me that should bear the weight of your disappointment and anger. Charlotte has done nothing to deserve it. Indeed she is a victim in all of this. Indeed just tonight she made it entirely clear that a connection between us is wholly unwelcome. She is not the type..." he said coldly cutting himself off not wishing to continue with that sentiment.

Eliza scoffed. "What do men know?" she laughed bitterly her lips formed a pursed shape in her smug offense. "She is still trying to win you," she said sure of her opinion. "It was clear at the regatta that she was intent on stealing you from me."

He looked at her cruelly. His gaze was hard and unyielding. "I never belonged to you Mrs. Campion," he said implying her first marriage ended her claim.
Sighing she smiled and it made him afraid for a moment. "We may need to set the date for the wedding," she said icily.

He looked at her shocked. "You just said this might not suit you any longer?" How can she go from zero to one hundred in the breath of a minute?

Eliza nodded. "Yes, I may change my mind and ruin both our lives if we don't get this settled. Wedding is this midsummer," she said. "In London."

He shook his head. "That will be the Midsummer Ball in Sanditon. I cannot miss that. Perhaps another week?" he asked.

She glared. "No."

He cursed. "Damn it all Eliza Campion. Your investment is wrapped up in Sanditon and you want to distract the Beau Monde from going there?"

She huffed and looked away. "You have only used part of my fortune. What do I care if it is slow to come to any gain? We have our whole lives." she shrugged. "And I have a large bank account."

Sidney clenched his jaw. "We need to save the Sanditon Investment while there is still interest."

She turned and glared. "Fine, you will have your precious village ball, and we get married in the spring," she said upping the anti.

Shaking his head he cursed loudly and banged his cane before taking deep breaths struggling to control his anger. Once he was in better control he looked to her coldly. "Autumn."

She shook her head. "Spring."

He clenched his fists wanting to wring her neck. "Fine June or early July," he said in demand. It was the latest definition of spring. "But I will find no joy in it."

She smiled coldly. "No indeed. I won't either." she looked pinched. "Also...forget about what I said in the carriage earlier."

He nodded. "Suits me." he clipped and jumped out of the carriage after she had pulled into her home. He could not abide a ride home in the carriage and wanted to find sport for his fist needed to punch something.

He did not even bid her goodnight as he stormed off into the dark streets of London. He had no intended direction which was never good for him.